Bristol Mayors Praise Unity at State of the Cities Event

Two cities, Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia, often referred to as the “twin cities,” found common ground on Wednesday during the annual State of the Cities event. This year, the focus was on showcasing unity and shared progress between these neighboring communities.

Held at a venue that straddles the state line, the event brought together local businesses, organizations, and residents to hear from their respective mayors. Becky Nave, the Mayor of Bristol, Virginia, emphasized the importance of the collaboration between the two cities. “It’s a great opportunity to show unity between the twin cities and how we’re working together to move forward,” she remarked.

Unity was the ongoing theme throughout the event. Mayor Nave highlighted, “I feel like we’re more unified than ever with Bristol, Tennessee as well as with our internal staff and even with the Bristol Chamber of Commerce.” A sentiment echoed by her counterpart, Mayor Vince Turner of Bristol, Tennessee, who also expressed the same feeling by stating, “I believe unity would be the same word I would use.”

Focus on Economic Development

Another major point of discussion was the economic developments in both cities. Mayor Turner pointed to new businesses emerging in the industrial parks and ongoing housing projects as vital elements for the local economy. “We’re seeing in our industrial parks, we have new businesses coming in. We’ve got housing going on, which I believe the housing is part of economic development,” said Turner.

Similarly, Mayor Nave remarked on the rising interest in Bristol, Virginia, particularly since the announcement of a new Hard Rock establishment. “Over the past year, ever since the Hard Rock was announced that they were coming, we’ve had an interest of businesses and investors from all over the nation reaching out, wanting to know what’s available, what properties are available,” Nave noted.

Turner further emphasized that these developments are driven by the local community and businesses. “The businesses and the other people in our community, they’re the ones that drive all of us,” he said.

Looking Forward

The mayors expressed optimism about the future and a strong desire to maintain the spirit of unity moving forward. Both communities are poised to continue their growth and development, benefiting from their cooperative efforts.

The State of the Cities event served not only as a platform to highlight recent achievements but also as a reminder of the strength that comes from working together. The cooperation between Bristol, Tennessee, and Bristol, Virginia, stands as a model for how neighboring cities can collaborate for the common good of their residents.

To sum up, the joint effort by the twin cities is bearing fruit, as evidenced by the new businesses and housing projects. The words of both mayors reflect a shared vision where unity isn’t just a concept but a tangible reality driving both Bristols towards a prosperous future. Moving forward, they hope to keep building on this solid foundation of unity and trust.